Freshology

Refreshing the mind, the body, and the spirit

Do you ever find that when you get up in the morning and start your day, there are the things you know you should do and the things you would prefer to do instead of those things? You might say, "I'd rather go for a run in the mornings" or "I'd like to go downstairs before anyone else and make myself a cup of hot coffee and sit in my chair as I read the headlines in this mornings paper." I think if each one of us was asked what his or her's perfect morning would be, we all might answer this question slightly different from the other. I know for me a morning exercise of some sort (perhaps cycling or kaiaking or lifting), reading my Bible and the latest news report complimented with a cup of coffee with coconut cream and if possible on the shore over looking some calm water sounds copacitically benign. I know some of you, like Jamie (my fiancée), are probably thinking something entirely different, like sleeping in! Waking up early in the morning, going for a run, and reading are the farthest things from your mind when you think of your perfect morning I understand. But however you like to spend your morning, remember to take time at some point in the day to refresh.

Among a lot of things that fill our day or the long list of things that we would prefer to do, don't forget to eat. Now all the same, you never forget to eat at some point in the day, so don't forget to read, pray, and give thanks for the living daily bread that we have by the gospel in Jesus. 

From our physical bodies to our minds and to our spirits we need to take time to refresh ourselves. You might be thinking, "Well, I don't have time to read my Bible or do any extra curricular activities. I barely have time to eat." I understand, believe me. But if you don't soon begin to make time, you will run short of time. Physically if you refuse to eat, no matter how busy you are, your body will shut down and eventually die. The same is said psychologically, as well as spiritually. Really all three of these tightly intertwined elements of our lives are insurmountably bond, so that if one fails or is depleted it will soon look to the others for support. 

And when you are depleted and you can't find that extra "unff" that you are so desperately looking for, you will begin to compromise and soon forget who you are, because its been so long you've forgotten where or what your identity is in. This is how people reach points of "burnout" or physical collapse or divorce or loss of identity in anything other than what they are exerting all their energy towards. So at some point today even, make time to do what you forgot to do this morning and begin today to go into the quiet places of intercessory prayer and ask Jesus to help you refresh - to help remind you where your identity is and where it ought to be. Only then will you find peace, when you are able to refresh yourself in Jesus; mentally, bodily, and spiritually.  

Sorrow: Why did I not die at birth?

"'Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God.' Job received his answer when the Lord spoke to him out of the whirlwind, and said, 'Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?' What God said to him was not so much a vindication of the ways of providence, but a revelation of his matchless power as the Creator and the Ruler of the universe; and, though men may not like to hear it, yet there is, in the thunder of God's power, an answer, which, though it may not always answer the sceptic, but ultimately overpower and silence him. As for God's child, he sits down in the shadow of that black cloud which is the canopy of Deity, and he is well content to be still in the presence of the Lord of the whole earth." - C. H. Spurgeon, The Sorrowful Man's Questions


 Look to imitate him who sits down in the shadow of that black cloud, that canopy, and be still in the presence of the Lord. He is more than capable to deliver you from trouble. Rest and be satisfied in him, who is the Vindicator of our souls and the drink that restores our thirst. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Do not build up your store house on earth. If God taketh from you, do not question accuse him of taking what doesn't belong to him. Do not accuse God with your lips or within your heart of being crafty and artfully devious. For it will not go well for you! 


John 10:10, Jesus came that your joy may abound and that your store house might be laid up in him. Friend, do not question and ask, "Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire (Job 3:11)?" How could you, oh Lord, take from me? Can I not discern the cause of my calamity? Spurgeon says, "Divine Sovereignty is an ocean without a bottom." I shall not be in want. The Lord is my refuge, my salvation, and my everlasting. Say, "I will rejoice in the Lord, the Savior of my delight. I shall never lack or despair in the night of my most darkest moment."

Good Reminder: Repent & Delight

 
At this very moment you and I are either committing [selfishness], or about to commit it, or repenting it." - C. S. Lewis


C.S. Lewis also said that the life of a Christian is one of repentance. Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards and Charles H. Spurgeon said variations of the same thing. Let us always be reminded on this simple truth, that our lives are to be continually basking in the reverence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our  thanksgiving should come from our contrite heart that God may delight in.  

When Belief Becomes Epistemology

"Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion." - dictionary.com. Like the present statement is written, epistemology must be investigated to justify our belief. Our opinions are not enough to justify our lives, rather our lives are only ever shaped and justified when belief becomes epistemology.

Proverbs 1:4-9

for giving prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young—

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance—

for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

They will be a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.